Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2019
196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reduce the 70-day retention period for all animals that go onto farms before they can be resold to 30 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/19]
View answer201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the four movement rule that was brought onto farms will be removed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7598/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 201 together.
A Quality Payment System (QPS) for the payment of bonuses in respect of certain categories of cattle at slaughter plants was introduced in 2009 by agreement between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). My understanding is that the conditions attached to qualification for this bonus payment include a limit on the number of movements of cattle in their lifetime prior to slaughter. This is a purely private arrangement between both parties and my Department has no role in its design or implementation.
The following was received from the Department on 25 February 2019
I wish to clarify that while the Quality Payment System related to the beef grid was agreed between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) in 2009, this payment is based on the classification of the carcass, i.e. a price differential is set between certain classification grades.
The Department's understanding is that, in addition to the payment as determined by Quality Payment System, additional bonus payments may be made. Any additional bonus payments, and the conditions attached to qualification for such bonus payments, are determined by processors and their retail customers. Such conditions can include a restriction on the number of movements. This is a commercial arrangement and the Department has no role in its design.
These extra conditions are determined by processors and their retail customers.
